The GIMB Section investigates the role of microorganisms in the digestive tract, the formulation of strategies for optimal utilization of feed resources and the prevention of digestive disorders in animals and humans. Micro-organisms within the gastrointestinal tract play an important nutritional and metabolic role beneficial to humans and animals. The group's aims are: To isolate, characterize and preserve potentially useful microorganisms for the enhancement of animal production, treatment of human disorders and fermentation technology, and To utilize these organisms as probiotics in animals, for example, rumen fermentation enhancers and detoxification inoculants.
Summary of GIMB Research Focus Biotechnological application of rumen organisms in order to alleviate acidosis in high-yield dairy cows. Using molecular biology, a genetic probe has been developed that makes it possible to detect specific rumen bacteria in mixed rumen bacterial populations. The organisms can thus be traced during in vivo trials in order to determine the dose size and frequency required of the organism per animal, in order to alleviate lactic acidosis. Development of gastro-intestinal models to study the survival and adhesion of probiotic bacteria in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). Fluorescent-in-situ-hybridization is one method used to detect the survival and adhesion of these bacteria in the GIT. Phytomedicine and Natural Products Research, focus on high valued plants, microorganisms (bacteria, Actinomycetes, fungi) and animals, which could be medicinal, aromatic or economical. It includes the extraction, isolation, purification and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds and essential oils from plants/microorganisms that have been implicated in folklore medicine. The activities involve biological testing of plant/microbial extracts and, ultimately, their clinical validations. We focus on well-defined plant/microbial extracts which are used for management of infectious diseases. Public Health: The molecular epidemiology of infectious food borne, waterborne and water-related microbial pathogens, and the effect of discharged effluents on the biotic and abiotic components of aquatic environments; water and wastewater quality. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, relating to finding solutions to problems of antibiotics resistance among the pathogenic microorganisms and alternatives to antibiotics (Probiotics & Prebiotics).
| | Microbiological analysis of microbial populations in the GIT of domestic animals
Professional services offered: Selection, cultivation and preservation of microbial cultures for administration to animals. Microbiological analysis of microbial populations in the digestive tracts of domestic animals. Supply of cultures of rumen bacteria and -fluid from domesticated and wild animals. Determination of nutritional requirements and growth kinetics of microorganisms. Consultation services. Seminars and lectures. Academic collaborations in research projects.
For more information contact: Sydwell Langa Tel: +27 (0)12 672 9021; +27 (0)12 672 9351 ARC-Animal Production, Private Bag X2, Irene, 0062 E-mail: slanga@arc.agric.za
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